Intermittent FastingEvidence & Dosage
16:8, OMAD, 5:2: metabolic flexibility, insulin sensitivity, autophagy, and the evidence on weight loss.
Evidence at a glance
- Total studies
- 1,000
- With abstract
- 43
- Meta / Systematic / RCT
- 178
- Highly cited
- 50
- Publication years
- 1976–2026
Intermittent Fasting in the context of Methods
This topic is part of our "Methods" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.
Go to MethodsTop studies on Intermittent Fasting
Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.
Intermittent Fasting and Obesity-Related Health Outcomes: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses of Randomized Clinical Trials.
JAMA Netw Open2021n=11Systematic Review133 influential citationsIMPORTANCE: Several meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the many health benefits of intermittent fasting (IF). However, there has been little synthesis of the strength and quality of this evidence in…
European Association for the Study of Obesity Position Statement on Medical Nutrition Therapy for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults Developed in Collaboration with the European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians.
Obes Facts2023n=56systematic122 influential citationsINTRODUCTION: Obesity affects nearly 1 in 4 European adults increasing their risk for mortality and physical and psychological morbidity. Obesity is a chronic relapsing disease characterized by abnormal or excessive adiposity with risks to…
Nutrition and Exercise Interventions to Improve Body Composition for Persons with Overweight or Obesity Near Retirement Age: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Adv Nutr2023n=495Meta-Analysis121 influential citationsThe retirement phase is an opportunity to integrate healthy (nutrition/exercise) habits into daily life. We conducted this systematic review to assess which nutrition and exercise interventions most effectively improve body composition…
Finding: In persons with overweight or obesity near retirement age, combining energy restriction with resistance training or mixed exercise and high protein was the most effective strategy for nearly all outcomes.
A meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness of alternate day fasting, the 5:2 diet, and time-restricted eating for weight loss.
Obesity (Silver Spring)2023n=176meta111 influential citationsOBJECTIVE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of different intermittent fasting (IF) regimens on weight loss, in the general population, and compare these to traditional caloric energy restriction (CER).…
Finding: In this meta-analysis of 24 RCTs, alternate day fasting ranked as the most effective regimen for weight loss, ahead of caloric energy restriction and time-restricted eating.
Beneficial Effects of Time-Restricted Eating on Metabolic Diseases: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Nutrients2020n=19Meta-Analysis102 influential citationsVarious behavioral and physiological pathways follow a pre-determined, 24 hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. Metabolic homeostasis is regulated by the circadian rhythm. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a type of intermittent fasting…
Intermittent fasting strategies and their effects on body weight and other cardiometabolic risk factors: systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.
BMJ2025n=99Meta-Analysis102 influential citationsOBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of intermittent fasting diets, with continuous energy restriction or unrestricted (ad-libitum) diets on intermediate cardiometabolic outcomes from randomised clinical trials. DESIGN: Systematic review and…
Finding: In this systematic review and network meta-analysis, all intermittent fasting and continuous energy restriction strategies reduced body weight compared with ad-libitum diets.
Food Timing, Circadian Rhythm and Chrononutrition: A Systematic Review of Time-Restricted Eating's Effects on Human Health.
Nutrients2020n=494Systematic Review97 influential citationsIntroduction: Recent observations have shown that lengthening the daily eating period may contribute to the onset of chronic diseases. Time-restricted eating (TRE) is a diet that especially limits this daily food window. It could represent…
Intermittent fasting interventions for treatment of overweight and obesity in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep2018Meta-Analysis92 influential citationsOBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of intermittent energy restriction in the treatment for overweight and obesity in adults, when compared to usual care treatment or no treatment. INTRODUCTION: Intermittent energy restriction…
Finding: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of intermittent energy restriction for treating overweight and obesity in adults compared with usual care treatment or no treatment.
Effects of intermittent fasting and energy-restricted diets on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Nutrition2020Meta-Analysis75 influential citations<h4>Objectives</h4>To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review and meta-analysis has evaluated the cholesterol-lowering effects of intermittent fasting (IF) and energy-restricted diets (ERD) compared with control groups. The aim of…
The impact of intermittent fasting on gut microbiota: a systematic review of human studies.
Front Nutr2024n=8Systematic Review71 influential citations<h4>Background</h4>Intermittent fasting (IF) has gained popularity in interventions targeting overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome. IF may affect the gut microbiome composition and therefore have various effects on gut microbiome…
Frequently asked
Which population does the evidence apply to?
Are there safety considerations for Intermittent Fasting?
Related articles
Intermittent Fasting: What Happens in the Body?
Intermittent fasting can lead to improved insulin sensitivity, reduced blood pressure, and increased catabolic metabolic activity. It also leads to an enhanced breakdown of fat cells.
Intermittent Fasting: Effects & Evidence—What’s Actually Proven
Evidence-based overview of intermittent fasting: which effects are well supported in meta-analyses (e.g., HbA1c, weight), and where the data are limited?
Intermittent Fasting: What the RCTs Show — Beyond Weight
Intermittent Fasting can help with weight loss, but according to RCTs it is usually no better than calorie restriction. What is really known about glucose, insulin, autophagy, and risks for women.
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